Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- July–August 1981 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 newsletter (multi-page, printed text)
Context area
Name of creator
Repository
Archival history
Part of IDAF’s political documentation archive, catalogued within the ‘Focus’ newsletter series.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
South African History Archive (SAHA)
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This issue documents the massive state security operation during anti-Republic Day protests, widespread student and labor detentions, guerilla actions by the ANC, and extensive trials under apartheid-era laws. Major topics include detentions of COSAS members, SAAWU and AZAPO activists, Robben Island releases, union suppression, and forced removals. It contains full trial listings, bans and restrictions, Namibia militarization, Kassinga anniversary, and a historical review of 20 years of repression since the Republic’s founding. The issue also exposes systemic use of torture, curfews, censorship, rape by soldiers, and the conscription system in Namibia.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Retained permanently for historical research on Southern African political repression and human rights violations.
Accruals
No further accruals expected.
System of arrangement
Chronologically maintained within IDAF Focus series.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open to the public and researchers.
Conditions governing reproduction
Reproduction allowed with proper citation of IDAF as source.
Language of material
English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
OCR scanned newsletter; legible and complete.
Finding aids
Uploaded finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Originals held by the South African History Archives.
Existence and location of copies
Digital copy available through the PWP projects and other Archives.
Related units of description
Issues 1–34, ANC raid reports, Kassinga and SWAPO files, Republic Day campaign documents, security legislation archives.
Publication note
Focus', Issue No. 35. International Defence and Aid Fund, July–August 1981.
Notes area
Note
Contains comprehensive documentation on youth detentions, guerilla trials, Namibia militarization, press restrictions, and long-term effects of apartheid repression.
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Oscar Mpetha (Subject)
- Ida Jimmy (Subject)
- Andrew Boraine (Subject)
- Joseph Mavi (Subject)
- Siza Njikelana (Subject)
- Fatima Meer (Subject)
- Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Subject)
- Makhosini Khumalo (Subject)
- Frank Chikane (Subject)
- Mandla Gxanyana (Subject)
- James Mange (Subject)
- Vusumuzi Zulu (Subject)
- Raphael Dludlu (Subject)
- Cyril Matsoko (Subject)
- Ntatho Motlana (Subject)
- Mono Badela (Subject)
- Reggie Nikiwe (Subject)
- Lizo Pityana (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description, Second Edition
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
One of the most comprehensive issues in the series, offering detailed legal, social, and military analyses of repression in South Africa and Namibia in mid-1981.